Phil Taylor opens Brighton Darts Zone

(Posted: 28 Jan 2010)

Our newly appointed Ambassador Phil Taylor opened our latest Darts Zone in Brighton in front of an excited crowd. It was another fantastic evening, with Taylor happily playing matches against his delighted fans.

Gardener Mark Scerri, (Corr) 37, who has five sons. He said: “There is such a good atmosphere here. The boards are well lit, the set up is very professional and I will certainly be coming back.”

Postman Steven Pester, 41, a darts league secretary, from Brighton. He said: “We have just moved our darts team down here as the facilities are so good, I’m so glad we have somewhere to play which has brilliant lighting and so much room to play. Rileys have certainly has transformed the darts scene in Brighton.”

Window maker Scott Brooksbank, 21, flew in from Malaga, Spain, to play ‘The Power’.

Scott, who plays in a Spanish darts league, said: “I won a website competition and couldn’t pass up the chance of playing the 15-time World Champion.

“So I have flown over for the night, and seeing the set up here at Rileys I’m very impressed – it is great. I am hoping Rileys are planning to expand into Spain!”

Clothes shop manager Adam Smith, 32, has been a darts fan since he was a kid. He said: “What Rileys have done here is really great for darts. I’m sure it will encourage people to come and play and get involved in our game.”

Decorator Craig Dainty, 22, from Brighton, has won a couple of youth darts events. He said: “What Rileys is doing is really good. It’s the first time in ages I have been able to go out and play darts so easily and not had to wait for a turn all evening.”

Van driver Andy Macintosh, 30, from Portslade, married with three children. He said: “It’s brilliant to have so much space between the boards - and so many boards.  You will never have to queue, and you will be able to have a full evening of darts rather than a short time because of people waiting.”

Electrician Lee Jennings, 41, from Hove, started playing darts when he was 12. He said: “Rileys have done a top job. This is the new home for my darts team and I’m looking forward to meeting the lads in a place where we can practice professionally but also socialise together for a whole evening.”

Professional Darts Corporation player Adrian Gray, 28, from Hastings, Sussex, stepped up to the oche hoping to beat Taylor for a second time.

Carpet fitter Adrian said: “I beat Phil in Dublin three years ago and was hoping to do the same again but it wasn’t my night.

“What Rileys have done here is fantastic. When you practice you want consistency from each board you play on, and the set-up here does just that. I just wish they would open a Darts Zone in Hastings.”

You can find more pictures from the evening on the Rileys Brighton homepage.